Gonadotropins

A drug may be classified by the chemical type of the active ingredient or by the way it is used to treat a particular condition. Each drug can be classified into one or more drug classes.

Gonadotropins are hormones synthesized and released by the anterior pituitary, and act on the gonads (testes and ovaries) to promote production of sex hormones and stimulate production of either sperm or ova. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormones (LH) are the main gonadotropins. Human chorionic gonadotropin is a gonadotropin that is only produced during pregnancy by the placenta.

Gonadotropin production is controlled by gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which is released by the hypothalamus. The effects of gonadotrophins differ in males and females.

Gonadotropins are used in fertility treatment to produce mature follicles and ovulation induction, in women. In men, it is used to increase sperm count as part of fertility treatment.